sorry if I'm hijacking this thread a little bit, although I'll say that chrome drive side chain stay is quite a sexy design, but back to my question: if NJS is a standardization to diminish equipment advantage, how do NJS used frames still have hierarchy? Or is it all personal preference.

It depends, is your dream bike an emerald Samson? It is a beautiful frame, but is there anything you'd change about it? Size? Tubing? Color? If there is, go custom.
I know, I know, more than a little biased here

I've been involved with track racing my whole life and have dreamed of a NJS frame for a while. Anyone got any custom builders in mind? I thought about Yamaguchi, however I don't know many other custom builders either.

Of course vintage Porsche... First car was a '84 928 I am really open to anything, you are correct that the NJS is a personal thing (my father lived in Japan in the early 80's and loved racing/watching Keirin... I'm starting to think about maybe a custom S3 build?

Of course vintage Porsche... First car was a '84 928 I am really open to anything, you are correct that the NJS is a personal thing (my father lived in Japan in the early 80's and loved racing/watching Keirin... I'm starting to think about maybe a custom S3 build?

As far as road bikes go, I'd suggest buying a complete bike then tweaking the things that need tweaking, like the saddle, bars, maybe adding race wheels. Plus, you can sell the leftovers.

Building a road bike from the frame up is VERY expensive and not worth it when you can get the same stuff on a complete build for a whole lot less.

"Custom" isn't always better. The off-the-shelf offerings aren't bad.

I raced with a guy once that wanted a custom Tiemeyer. He contacted Mr. Tiemeyer and they got to talking. My buddy gave his personal dimensions and the dimensions of his current bike and Tiemeyer said that he was actually suited for a standard Large frame and that a custom bike would just cost more time and money and come out to the same dimensions. Saved my buddy a couple of hundred bucks and several weeks of wait time.

A hot bike is a hot bike, whether it's custom or not. Most elites and pros (road, track, mtb, CX, etc...) don't ride custom. Some do, but most don't.

Samson frames start from 170,000 yen for the most basic frames. That's over $2000.
While I think $1480 is too expensive for that frame, custom built Samson is not really an option, as Harada-san won't build for non pro-riders.
If you can afford it and it's your dream, why not?
But the 110mm will be a pain. Just wait a week or so, that website updates about twice a month, he'll get more stuff in stock.
Otherwise, if you speak Japanese call up Dreamworks Cycle in Shibuya, Tokyo. He always has used stuff for better prices.
Sexonsuperpista also in Shibuya has a bunch of used Samsons hanging in his shop, just went there the other day.
Or try njssupermarket.com in Osaka, they also have a good collection of used frames.